Degree
Bachelor of Arts with a major in PsychologyLearn More
Mission
The Department of Psychology offers students a broad-based liberal arts education with an emphasis on community, social, and individual approaches to understanding human behavior. Students are thus exposed to a combination of theoretical, scientific, and practical approaches to solving human problems. Issues of gender, race, class, and culture are emphasized in courses throughout the curriculum. As a result of required course work and internship experiences, the department graduates students with marketable skills that prepare them for entry-level positions in social services or for graduate study in related areas. As part of this mission, the Department of Psychology offers three majors with concomitant minors in: psychology, neuroscience, and animal behavior. Additionally, the department offers minors in Art Therapy and in Mental Health Rehabilitation. The Mental Health Rehabilitation minor leads to a certificate from the State of Maine Department of Health and Human Services in MHRT/C.
Major Description
The psychology major blends interdisciplinary work with intensive training in psychology to prepare students for a wide range of professional and academic experiences beyond college. The major draws on the extensive experience of our faculty in the areas of human development, clinical psychology, cognitive neuroscience, learning and memory, the biological basis of behavior and animal modeling.
An essential theme of the program is our focus on psychology as a science which is manifested through our coursework in research methodology and statistics. The faculty provides a supportive environment in which students learn the thinking skills important to reading and conducting research. Students support each other as well, working in groups on research projects that often are useful to the ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ community. For example, students have used classroom projects in research methods to investigate student satisfaction with residence halls on campus, and a second project for that same class investigated faculty knowledge of learning disabilities accommodation requirements and policies. Coursework across the psychology curriculum includes a focus on the scientific method and how psychological science can inform real world problems and practice.
A second essential theme of the psychology major includes the required-internship or field experience work. The internship is a critical part of our students' learning. It is typically completed in the third year and must be taken for an equivalent of three credits. Each credit hour of internship is equivalent to 40 hours of work at the internship site. These experiences provide the student the opportunity to learn experientially and to explore different career directions based on a student's unique interest. Overall, the internship is an important educational experience and it often leads to the first job after graduation for our students. Some students elect to take a second internship (if space permits) while others students more interested in the scientific analysis of behavior may choose to take an advanced research course. This would typically entail a student writing a senior thesis or becoming a research assistant in one of the psychology department labs.
Curricular Requirements
Credits | |
---|---|
CAS Core Requirements | 42-46 |
PSY Majors must take PSY 250 as one of their SGA courses | |
PSY Majors must take EXP courses outside of the Psychology Department for their Core requirement | |
PSY Majors are encouraged to take MAT 120 or MAT 150 as their Math core |
Credits | |
---|---|
Psychology Program Required Courses | |
PSY 105 - Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
PSY 225 - Psychology Statistics | 3 |
PSY 285 - Research Methods | 3 |
PSY 300 - Psychology Internship I | 3 |
PSY 405 - Special Topics Seminar | 3 |
PSY 205 - Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
PSY 255 or 255G - Social Psychology | 3 |
PSY 350 - Theories of Personality | 3 |
PSY 365 - Biological Bases of Behavior | 3 |
PSY 380 - Learning/Conditioning and Behavior Modification or PSY 382 - Animal Learning and Behavior |
3 |
PSY 383 - Memory and Cognition | 3 |
3 open PSY or NEU electives (at the 200 level or higher) These courses might include options such as PSY 212, PSY 215, PSY 226, PSY 235, PSY 236, PSY 252, PSY 275, PSY 295, PSY 310, PSY 335, PSY 340, PSY 345(G), PSY 360, PSY 362, PSY 370, PSY 400, PSY 410, NEU 210, NEU 310, NEU 320 |
9 |
Program Minimum Required Total Credits | 42 |
Open Elective Courses (needed to reach 120 credits) | variable |
Minimum Required Total Credits | 120 |
Students wishing to pursue teacher certification in Psychology can complete a double major with Psychology and Secondary Education OR a major in Secondary Education and a concentration in Psychology. For more Information, see the Secondary Education catalog page.
Students in this major can participate in the pre-health graduate school preparation tracks.
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Academic and Technical Standards
A grade point average of 2.25 is necessary to be approved to add a major in Psychology, Animal Behavior, or Neuroscience, and to add a minor in Psychology, Animal Behavior, Neuroscience, Art Therapy, or MHRT/C. Double majoring or majoring and minoring within the Department of Psychology may be possible for a student. However, students interested in this option should do so with close consultation of their academic advisor to ensure that a substantial degree of overlap between the two areas does not occur.
A minimum grade of C- must be achieved in all psychology courses used toward graduation. Students must also complete the University Core mathematics requirement by the end of the first year. The department strongly recommends that students take PSY 225 and PSY 285 in their sophomore year. The department requires that PSY 225 and PSY 285 be completed by the end of the junior year. See Undergraduate Academic Policy also.
Learning Outcomes
At the completion of their Bachelors Degree Program in Psychology, students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate fundamental knowledge and comprehension of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, historical trends, and empirical findings in psychology and the ability to apply these to behavioral problems.
2. Demonstrate scientific reasoning and problem solving, including effective research methods (e.g., design, data analysis, and interpretation).
3. Recognize and/or employ ethically and socially responsible behaviors for professional and personal settings in a landscape that involves increasing diversity.
4. Demonstrate competence in writing and in oral and interpersonal skills, including in the context of a psychological project.
5. Apply psychology-specific content and skills, effective self-reflection, project-management skills, teamwork skills, and career preparation.
Minors
A student with GPA of at least 2.25 and a major at ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ may minor in Psychology with the approval of the Psychology Department Chair. Declarations must occur prior to the completion of the first semester of the junior year. Major programs of study with significant course overlap with psychology minor requirements may be disallowed by the chair. Students declaring a minor in Psychology will not be allowed to double-dip credits across the minor and either major or core requirements (unless no other options are provided by the major, minor, or core requirements). A minimum of eighteen hours of approved course credit with a minimum grade of "C-" in each course is required for the minor in Psychology as follows:
Credits | |
---|---|
Psychology Minor Required Courses | |
PSY 105 - Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
SOC 150 - Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
Four other Psychology courses at the 200 level or higher. double-dip with other major, minor, or core requirements) |
12 |
Minimum Required Total Credits | 18 |
Honors Program
We offer qualified students the option of graduating with Honors. This includes significant research, scholarship or creative activity under the direction of a faculty member. Interested students should consult with their major advisor.
Transfer Credit
Courses completed at another accredited college can be transferred to this degree program. Transferred courses must be reasonably close in scope and content to the required courses offered at ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ in order to count as exact equivalents. Otherwise, they may transfer as general electives. All courses completed must be no older than five years. Other restrictions apply. See Undergraduate Admissions also.
Admissions
Financial Information
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees for subsequent years may vary. Other expenses include books and housing. For more information regarding tuition and fees, please consult the Financial Information section of this catalog.
Notice and Responsibilities Regarding this Catalog
This Catalog documents the academic programs, policies, and activities of the ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ for the 2017-2018 academic year. The information contained herein is accurate as of date of publication April 28, 2017.
The ³ÉÈËÖ±²¥ reserves the right in its sole judgment to make changes of any nature in its programs, calendar, or academic schedule whenever it is deemed necessary or desirable, including changes in course content, the rescheduling of classes with or without extending the academic term, canceling of scheduled classes or other academic activities, in any such case giving such notice thereof as is reasonably practicable under the circumstances.
While each student may work closely with an academic advisor, he or she must retain individual responsibility for meeting requirements in this catalog and for being aware of any changes in provisions or requirements.